"VIP" Patients

OK, I know I'm not the only nurse who has encountered the "VIP" patient. You know the story...you get report on the new admit coming to your unit and you are told to take extra special care of this patient. This infuriates me to no end. It implies that I'm going to treat my patients differently based on social status. I don't know about you guys, but I treat all of my patients like VIP's. Am I being silly or are there others out there who feel this way?

I feel exactly as you do on this. In fact, I have taught more than one administrator, head nurse, charge nurse, etc. NEVER to give me the "so-and-so is a VIP" line. As soon as they start, I draw myself up, acting highly affronted - "Are you implying that I give less than excellent care to ANY of my patients?!". I become highly indignant at this perceived insult to the quality of my nursing care and pretty soon they give up and go away talking to themselves.
Personally, if I have 5 extra minutes to spend on a patient, it's going to be on the one who doesn't get pampering as a matter of course, or who I see as having extra need for some reason (which may very well be the "v.i.p.", but not because of her status).

Jan 14, '08

Drives me bonkers! I can't stand it. As if someone's more worthy of my time or attention, or caring, just because they're 'somebody important.'

Jan 14, '08

This drives me crazy, too. I usually go out of my way to avoid the VIPs, and try to spend as little time in their rooms as possible.
I don't like the feeling that if I displease a VIP, they will report me to whomever. I feel if I avoid them as much as I can, less chance of them coming up with something negative to say about me.

Not the best attitude, I know. But, there it is.

Jan 14, '08

I have a problem with people saying "oh, they're a VIP..." or " oh the family's a problem", etc....let me judge that for myself, because sometimes in all in the way you approach them....You get that first VS visit to set an impression.
EVERYONE is a VIP to somebody....think about it. We all are important to our families, our coworkers, our friends, etc.
I'll die before I get a vip a special thing before turning that q2h turner who's incontinent, and the DD guy who needs help getting fed....just my opinion...

Jan 14, '08

I had a patient not too long ago who was -- um -- challenging. He was terribly confused and somewhat combative, but hey -- he was elderly and had been admitted due to taking a fall and sustaining a head injury. I work in Acute Dialysis, so mostly my patients come to me for treatment, and due to his having varied problems during his stay his room number kept changing. As he became more stable, he got moved to the "VIP Suites" on our 6th floor. THAT was when I found out that he was a hospital Board member and "VIP." I had no idea, and treated him with the same respect that I treated all of my patients. I received no complaints, and even a compliment from his wife, who was later described as a not-too-nice person to deal with. Karma, man. Give good care to all, and it will come back to you.

Jan 14, '08

Awesome happybunny!!!! Thats the way it should be!!!!

Jan 14, '08

There is a rough equality in SICU.
Everyone is equal in those backless gowns.
VIP's are not that common, but I give them the same care I give everyone else.

Jan 14, '08

Patient: VIP
has money
for Private Duty
Nurse.
'Cause that's how it works.

You want to claim royalty
Pay the penalty.
Fake kings and queens
without the means
to pay the price
better roll that dice.
You'll have to gamble
when the staff has to scramble
to meet your request
HEY, WE'RE DOING OUR BEST!

Jan 14, '08

I remember my nurse manager coming to me one day, I was taking care of a patient who she said was a 'vip.' I said to her straight out, 'well, all of my patients are vip's' She says, 'well...right...that's how it should be.' Rediculous. I treat all my patients the same, I don't care if you're the queen of some country or a criminal. Who am I to judge.

Jan 14, '08

Just hearing that this is a "VIP" grates on my last nerve. The unspoken message is to drop what you are doing, decrease care to someone else who probably deserves it more than they do and that simply is not fair. Many of these VIPs make us Very Impatient and Paranoid, worrying about being reported for some silly infraction like not fluffing their pillows enough or something like that. I usually do the same; do what I have to do and get them the heck out of my face. They make me very resentful...

Jan 14, '08

Ever notice how the sickest, most compromised patients are the last to request help, complain or gripe about their care? It sickens me when I have a shift where I have to give less than adequate care to my truly sick patients because I have a royal VIP who is demanding all my time and attention. I have actually told VIPs before that I have to take care of a different patient right then because it was a "priority." They got all apologetic then and quit asking me for stuff (well at least for a 1/2 hour or so).

Jan 14, '08

Just because a staff member issues an alert that "So-and-so" should be given VIP treatment, that doesn't mean that "So-and-so" knows that this is happening or feels the same way. Yes, there are some who feel they merit privileged status, but there are also many who would be mortified and unhappy to know they'd been singled out in this way. And, too, you can have a patient who is a pleasure to care for accompanied by family members or an entourage who are beastly in ways the patient doesn't see or isn't equipped to deal with. I try to give the VIP the same benefit of the doubt that I would give the average Jack or Jane and not hold them accountable for other people's bad behavior.

On the flip side, I do appreciate being given a heads-up on the "VIP" patients. Not so I can treat them better than the other folks but so I can prepare for the possibility of dealing with difficult people and extra demands.